DECISION MAKING BEHAVIOUR OF FARM WOMEN IN DAIRY FARMING ACTIVITIES IN ERODE DISTRICT OF TAMILNADU 1 N.V. Kavithaa and 2 N. Vimal Rajkumar 1 Assistant Professor, Veterinary University Training and Research Centre, Erode – 638004 2 Assistant Professor, Department of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Extension Education, Madras Veterinary College, Veppery, Chennai, Tamilnadu – 600007 E-mail: 1 kavikulandai1979@gmail.com Abstract: This study was conducted in Erode District of Tamilnadu to explore the role of farm women in decision making process in dairy farming activities. A total of sixty farm families (60 rural farm men and 60 rural farm women) who were actively involved in dairy farming practices were selected for the study with the help of local leaders and Veterinary Assistant Surgeons. The data was collected through personal interview method and subjected to statistical analysis. The statistical tool like frequency and percentage were used for analyzing the collected data. The findings of the study revealed that rural farm women were dominated in decisions making process in non - financial activities like construction of shed, treatment of animals, vaccination and deworming, management of new born calves, sick and pregnant animals, milking and processing of milk, utilization of dung. Also it is evident from the study that rural farm women were less dominated in decision making activities regarding economic aspects, so there is need to make them aware about financial regulation, loans, insurance of animals and marketing structure Keywords: Dairy farming activities, non - financial activities and economic aspects. INTRODUCTION Women play an important role in animal husbandry activities as manager, decision makers and skilled workers. They help in farm operations, taking their animals for grazing, look after the sale of milk, and in addition, perform the functions related to house management. Rural women contribute a share of more than 75 per cent in animal husbandry operations like feeding, milking and sale of milk (Sangeetha Upadhyay and Desai, 2011). Many of the important tasks in animal husbandry activities are performed by women besides fulfilling their responsibilities as home makers (Randhawa and Chandra, 1993). Women’s participation in agricultural activities is higher than that of men (Prakash, 2003 and Tacio, 2003). Women actively participate in a range of activities related to crop production and livestock management. Rural Women remain busy from dawn to dusk in various agricultural activities and livestock management. Women’s active involvement in decision making is considered essential for rapid economic development of the country (Chayal et al., 2013). Keeping these International Journal of Science, Environment ISSN 2278-3687 (O) and Technology, Vol. 5, No 2, 2016, 416 – 419 2277-663X (P) Received Feb 19, 2016 * Published April 2, 2016 * www.ijset.net